Collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device

Abstract

A collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device for use with a rotorcraft, comprising: an inner cargo storage area for accommodating human and/or non-human cargo for transportation; a self-supporting skeletal frame, and collapsible cargo securing means mounted to the self-supporting skeletal frame for delimiting the inner cargo storage area. The self-supporting skeletal frame comprises a collapsible platform support structure, a collapsible spreading structure, a telescopic rod connecting the collapsible platform support structure to the collapsible spreading structure, an attachment connected to the telescopic rod to enable attachment of the self-supporting skeletal frame to a rotorcraft, and a plurality of tensioning cables connecting the attachment to the collapsible spreading structure and the collapsible platform support structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device for use with a rotorcraft, comprising:
 an inner cargo storage area for accommodating human and/or non-human cargo for transportation;   a self-supporting skeletal frame comprising:
 a collapsible platform support structure, 
 a collapsible spreading structure, 
 a telescopic rod connecting the collapsible platform support structure to the collapsible spreading structure, 
 an attachment connected to the telescopic rod to enable attachment of the self-supporting skeletal frame to the rotorcraft, and 
 a plurality of tensioning cables each connecting the attachment to the collapsible spreading structure and to the collapsible platform support structure; and 
   collapsible cargo securing means mounted to the self-supporting skeletal frame for delimiting the inner cargo storage area.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device of  claim 1 , wherein the telescopic rod comprises at least a first telescopic rod section and a second telescopic rod section; wherein the first telescopic rod section and the second telescopic rod section are movable relative to each other in an unblocked state; wherein the collapsible spreading structure is mounted to the first telescopic rod section; and wherein the collapsible platform support structure is mounted to the second telescopic rod section. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible platform support structure comprises a carrying ring slidably mounted on the telescopic rod. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device of  claim 3 , wherein the collapsible platform support structure comprises a plurality of pivotable carrying arms. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of pivotable carrying arms is pivotally mounted to the carrying ring. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device of  claim 3 , wherein the carrying ring is slidably mounted on the second telescopic rod section; and wherein the second telescopic rod section is provided with an end stop forming a mechanical end stop for a sliding movement of the carrying ring. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible spreading structure comprises a support ring rigidly mounted to the telescopic rod. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device of  claim 7 , wherein the collapsible spreading structure comprises a plurality of pivotable support arms. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of pivotable support arms is pivotally mounted to the support ring. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device of  claim 7 , wherein the support ring is rigidly mounted on the first telescopic rod section. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device of  claim 10 , wherein the support ring and the carrying ring are movable in opposite directions by means of the telescopic rod to permit expansion of the self-supporting skeletal frame. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device of  claim 10 , wherein the support ring and the carrying ring are arranged on opposed axial ends of the telescopic rod in expanded state of the telescopic rod; and wherein the support ring and the carrying ring are arranged close to each other in collapsed state of the telescopic rod. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device of  claim 1 , further comprising blocking and securing means configured for blocking the telescopic rod at least in expanded state. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device of  claim 13 , wherein the blocking and securing means comprises a lock pin. 
     
     
         15 . The collapsible self-supporting human and/or non-human cargo transport device of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible cargo securing means comprises a security transport net.